REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XVII 



its location, adjacent to tlie Baltimore and Potomac Eailroad tracks, is 

 very convenient as a shipping depot for fish and eggs. During the 

 year permission has been obtained from the District Commissioners to 

 extend a side track from the railroad, along the southern side of the 

 building. It will also be used for investigations upon fish and eggs in 

 relation to many practical and biological questions. 



12. Washington navy-yard. — This station was occupied temporarily, 

 as in some former years, from May 4 to June 25, inclusive, for the 

 hatching of shad-eggs, which were collected at the fisheries on the 

 Potomac and brought thither by a steam launch. 



13. Potomac River barges.— Two of the barges, one fitted as quarters 

 and the other containing facilities for hatching, were transferred from 

 Havre de Griice and anchored in Gunston Bay, about 20 miles below 

 Washington. This temporary shad -hatching station was most success- 

 ful, and was under the immediate direction of Mr. Marshall McDonald 

 from April 20 to May 30, inclusive. 



14. Avoca, If. G. — This was a temporary station occupied from April 

 12 to April 30 by the steamer Fish Hawk, Lieut. Z. L. Tanner, U. S. N., 

 commanding, for the taking and hatching of the eggs of shad. 



D. — Propagatiox of Carp. 



15. Carp ponds at Monument Lot. — These ponds have been maintained 

 during the present year for the propagation of carp under the superin- 

 tendence of Mr. Kud. Hessel. The number of carp produced was larger 

 than in any previous year. A new pond has also been constructed dur- 

 ing the present year. 



IG. Carp ponds at the Washington Arsenal. — These ponds were main, 

 tained as heretofore for the propagation of the scale and mirror carp, 

 and were under the charge of Mr. Elliott Jones, of the Ordnance De- 

 partment, United States Army, until the latter part of May, when, 

 through his transfer to another field of duty, the Commission was de- 

 prived of his services. The General of the Army, however, kindly in- 

 structed General Ayres, the commandant of the artillery station in the 

 Arsenal Grounds, to protect the ponds and their contents from disturb- 

 ance and depredation. 



3. — ASSISTANCE RENDERED TO THE COlilMISSIGN. 



The act of Congress establishing the Commission directs the Execu- 

 tive Departments of the Government to render all necessary and prac- 

 ticable aid in carrying out its mission ; and, as in previous years, it is my 

 very agreeable duty to report the cordial manner in which this has been 

 done. The most noteworthy occasions for this service have been as 

 follows : 



Treasury Befaut-me^t— Secretary's Office.— Juna 1, Thomas J. 

 Hobbs was designated to disburse the appropriation for " fish hatching 

 S. Mis. 110 II 



